Training the Brain | Dr. Michael Gervais

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Darin sits down with Hagen Thiers to unpack one of the most misunderstood journeys in health: why doing "everything right" still doesn't always work — and how true transformation requires decoding the body's survival signals, not fighting them. Hagen shares his remarkable physical transformation after decades of extreme metabolic adaptation, chronic gut inflammation, and stress-driven physiology. Together, they explore metabolism, inflammation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, protein intake, discipline, and why sustainable health is built through patience, self-leadership, and listening to the body's intelligence.     What You'll Learn in This Episode Why extreme dieting and endurance stress can permanently slow metabolism How survival adaptation can block fat loss despite "perfect" habits The overlooked role of gut inflammation in weight retention Why fat is a protective organ, not just stored energy How leptin signaling and inflammation dictate fat loss resistance The difference between calorie math and biological reality Why healing must precede weight loss for many people How protein intake preserves muscle during fat loss Why discipline beats motivation every time The role of hyperbaric oxygen in reducing inflammation and restoring function How oxygen delivery impacts fat tissue, gut health, and recovery Why consistency over months—not hacks—creates lasting change How physical freedom directly impacts happiness and life quality     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty and health 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Fatty15 and cellular health 00:04:14 – Introducing Hagen Thiers 00:09:43 – Hagen's transformation and why this conversation matters 00:11:26 – Doing everything right but still being stuck 00:13:28 – Discovering severe metabolic suppression 00:14:54 – Extreme endurance, starvation adaptation, and survival metabolism 00:17:04 – Why chronic calorie restriction backfires 00:20:56 – Gut inflammation as the real barrier to fat loss 00:22:41 – Healing before weight loss 00:23:26 – Fiber diversity, probiotics, and microbiome repair 00:24:30 – Enter hyperbaric oxygen therapy 00:27:57 – Why calories in / calories out breaks down 00:30:30 – Stress, inflammation, and metabolic shutdown 00:31:53 – Protein requirements and muscle preservation 00:35:47 – Discipline as a long-term lifestyle 00:38:54 – Eating frequency and metabolic signaling 00:43:39 – How hyperbaric oxygen works 00:47:31 – Why results accelerate after consistency 00:50:23 – 170 lbs lost and metabolic breakthrough 00:54:32 – Oxygen quality and chamber safety 00:58:22 – Breathwork vs hyperbaric oxygen 01:03:40 – Building an internal healing environment 01:05:05 – Life after transformation 01:06:42 – Discipline, the gym, and honest feedback 01:09:26 – Health as freedom, not restriction 01:11:39 – Inflammation as the missing piece for most people 01:12:45 – Closing reflections and hope for listeners     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Hagen Thiers Website: https://waveguard.com/en/ Instagram: @biohacking_ht     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway True health isn't about forcing the body to change — it's about creating the conditions where the body finally feels safe enough to let go.

Are you exhausted all the time? In this solo episode, Darin breaks down why so many people feel chronically exhausted despite eating clean, exercising, and "doing everything right." He explains how modern life disrupts mitochondrial function, circadian rhythm, stress signaling, and nutrient availability, and why fatigue is not a personal failure, but a biological signal. This episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap to restoring energy by realigning your environment, habits, and daily rhythms with how the body is actually designed to function.     What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why chronic fatigue is exploding—even among healthy, active people How mitochondria do far more than "make energy" The role of circadian rhythm, light exposure, and timing in energy production Why stress, overtraining, and modern lifestyles drain cellular energy How emotional suppression and unexpressed stress affect vitality The difference between forcing energy and allowing energy Simple daily practices that support mitochondrial repair How breathwork, stillness, and social connection restore resilience Why nutrition alone isn't enough without rhythm and recovery How to realign your biology with the modern world     Timecodes 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the intention behind this episode 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and natural frequency-based healing 00:02:10 – Happy New Year + why this conversation matters now 00:02:37 – Are you exhausted even though you're "doing everything right"? 00:03:26 – The modern energy crisis and rising chronic fatigue 00:04:12 – Why surface-level health advice no longer works 00:04:27 – Mitochondria: more than energy factories 00:04:59 – Circadian misalignment, EMFs, and modern stressors 00:05:36 – Overtraining, stress load, and lack of recovery 00:06:00 – Fatigue as a signal, not a lack of discipline 00:06:18 – How artificial light disrupts internal clocks 00:07:25 – Discipline as alignment with natural rhythms 00:07:36 – Emotional release, primal expression, and energy recovery 00:08:47 – Why "why am I tired all the time?" is exploding online 00:09:24 – The mitochondria as environmental sensors 00:10:06 – Stress signaling, thoughts, and cellular energy flow 00:11:18 – Breathwork and slowing the nervous system 00:12:24 – Social connection and low-stress signaling 00:13:02 – Sponsor: Bite toothpaste and eliminating plastic exposure 00:15:19 – Morning sunlight and circadian priming 00:15:52 – Reducing artificial light at night 00:16:15 – Nutrients that support mitochondrial function 00:17:29 – Sleep timing, consistency, and repair 00:18:20 – Evening routines and melatonin protection 00:19:46 – Small daily steps compound into real energy 00:20:17 – Antioxidants, inflammation, and recovery 00:20:49 – Training smarter, not harder 00:21:31 – Breathwork, sauna, and recovery rituals 00:22:26 – Nutrition, protein, and polyphenols 00:24:37 – Five daily energy takeaways 00:25:24 – Energy is permitted, not forced 00:26:03 – Listening to the body and closing reflections 00:26:49 – SuperLife Patreon and community support     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Fatigue isn't failure. It's feedback. When your environment, timing, and signals align, your biology remembers how to thrive."     Bibliography/Sources: Ames, B. N. (2006). Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation triage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(47), 17589–17594. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0608757103 Bass, J., & Takahashi, J. S. (2010). Circadian integration of metabolism and energetics. Science, 330(6009), 1349–1354. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1195668 Gooley, J. J., Chamberlain, K., Smith, K. A., Khalsa, S. B., Rajaratnam, S. M., Van Reen, E., Zeitzer, J. M., Czeisler, C. A., & Lockley, S. W. (2011). Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(3), E463–E472. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2010-2098 Kreher, J. B., & Schwartz, J. B. (2012). Overtraining syndrome: A practical guide. Sports Health, 4(2), 128–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738111434406 Meeusen, R., Duclos, M., Foster, C., Fry, A., Gleeson, M., Nieman, D., Raglin, J., Rietjens, G., Steinacker, J., & Urhausen, A. (2013). Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: Joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2012.730061 Panda, S. (2016). Circadian physiology of metabolism. Cell Metabolism, 23(6), 1152–1163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.06.005 Picard, M., Juster, R. P., & McEwen, B. S. (2014). Mitochondrial allostatic load: Putting the 'gluc' back in glucocorticoids. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 10(5), 303–310. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.22 Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological stress and mitochondria: A systematic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(2), 126–140. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000544 Picard, M., McElroy, G. S., & Turnbull, D. M. (2015). Mitochondrial functions modulate neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and transcriptional responses to acute psychological stress. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(48), 14920–14925. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518223112 Reiter, R. J., Rosales-Corral, S., Tan, D. X., Acuna-Castroviejo, D., Qin, L., Yang, S. F., & Xu, K. (2017). Melatonin as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant: One of evolution's best inventions? Journal of Pineal Research, 62(1), e12394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12394 Scheer, F. A., Hilton, M. F., Mantzoros, C. S., & Shea, S. A. (2009). Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(11), 4453–4458. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0808180106 Straub, R. H. (2017). The brain and immune system prompt energy shortage in chronic inflammation and ageing. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 13(2), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2016.213 World Health Organization. (n.d.). Micronutrient deficiencies. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/micronutrients

In this expansive and deeply honest conversation, Darin sits down with Gregory Schwartz for a wide-ranging exploration of awakening, ecology, food systems, energy, consciousness, and what it truly means to live in right relationship with the planet and ourselves. What begins as a conversation about athletic identity and environmental travel unfolds into a profound dialogue on political ecology, spiritual awakening, mitochondrial intelligence, community-scale solutions, and the collapse of outdated belief systems. This episode bridges the scientific, the spiritual, and the deeply human—offering a grounded yet visionary roadmap for creating a future where health, sovereignty, and connection replace extraction, disconnection, and burnout.     What You'll Learn in This Episode How early athletic identity, injury, and discipline shaped Greg's lifelong path Why travel and "ground-truthing" reality changes how we see the world The concept of the "Planet Doctor" and speaking on behalf of Earth Why data alone doesn't change behavior—and why the heart must lead How food systems, soil health, and gut health are inseparably linked The real reasons environmental solutions stall despite available money and technology Why community-scale action is the missing link between individual and government change How regenerative food systems ripple into health, ecology, and social cohesion The dangers of hyper-productivity and the loss of rest, recovery, and contemplation Why mitochondria are not just powerhouses—but listeners and conductors of energy What spiritual awakening actually feels like—and why it can be destabilizing The collapse of identity as a necessary step toward integration The difference between being a messenger and being the message How awakenings mature from chaos into discipline, embodiment, and service Why optimism comes from living examples, not abstract ideology How small, aligned actions create resonance fields that attract new realities     Timecodes 00:00 – Athletic roots, injury, and the pivot into physiology & nutrition 03:00 – Travel, environmental exposure, and seeing reality beyond data 07:00 – Political ecology, capitalism, and the illusion of separation from nature 12:30 – Food systems, soil health, and gut microbiome parallels 16:00 – Regenerative agriculture, working with farmers, and nuance over dogma 20:00 – Community-scale solutions: food, energy, microgrids, and localization 24:00 – Burnout culture, productivity addiction, and missing rest cycles 27:00 – Mitochondria, flow state, and the intelligence of the cell 30:00 – Spiritual awakening: lightning bolts, breakdowns, and integration 35:00 – Heaven, hell, and altered states as present-moment realities 39:00 – Discipline vs. chaos: maturing the awakening process 44:00 – Being the message vs. delivering the message 49:00 – Embodiment, purpose, and integrating spirituality into real life 55:00 – System collapse, courage, and rebuilding new realities 01:00:00 – Hope, optimism, and why examples matter more than arguments 01:05:00 – Creating resonance through aligned action and community     Find More From Gregory Schwartz Political ecology research and teaching Environmental systems, food sovereignty, and regenerative frameworks Community-scale energy and food solutions Writing and speaking on consciousness, awakening, and integration     Thank You to Our Sponsors Truniagen: Go to www.truniagen.com and use code DARIN20 at checkout for 20% off Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Gregory Schwartz Website: theplanetdoctor.com Instagram: @theplanetdoctor Try Greg's Free Masterclass by signing up here!     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "The systems don't change because we lack solutions—they don't change because we haven't changed our relationship to ourselves, to nature, and to each other. When that shifts, everything else follows."  

In this solo New Year episode, Darin Olien strips everything back to what actually works. Not hacks. Not trends. The fundamentals. Discipline, food, movement, stillness, sleep, hydration, and real human connection. Darin explains why sovereignty is built through small daily practices — and how mastering the basics is what creates freedom, resilience, joy, and a truly SuperLife.     What You'll Learn 00:00 – 02:00 Welcome to SuperLife + why this episode is about foundations, not quick fixes 02:00 – 03:21 Why New Year change fails — and how discipline actually creates freedom 03:21 – 04:21 Discipline reframed: not restriction, but the container for sovereignty 04:21 – 05:29 How to build momentum with one high-leverage habit (and why simplicity wins) 05:29 – 06:15 Sleep as a keystone habit — routines, consistency, and nervous system repair 06:15 – 07:39 Food basics: eating close to the source and why Mediterranean-style works long-term 07:39 – 09:13 Practical nutrition without overwhelm — fiber, diversity, and simple planning 09:13 – 10:54 Movement as medicine — why walking and consistency beat intensity 10:54 – 12:00 Strength, mood, brain health, and why there's no substitute for exercise 12:00 – 14:04 Sponsor break: non-toxic cookware and eliminating hidden daily toxins 14:04 – 16:36 Silence and stillness — the missing vital force in modern life 16:36 – 17:22 Sleep as repair: mitochondria, recovery, and why stimulation without repair fails 17:22 – 18:14 Hydration fundamentals — mood, cognition, digestion, and mineral balance 18:14 – 19:43 Water rituals, warmth, electrolytes, and daily hydration structure 19:43 – 21:23 Heart-centered living — healing, relationships, and real human connection 21:23 – 22:55 Why meaningful relationships are the lifeblood of happiness 22:55 – 24:28 Escaping algorithmic dopamine and replacing fatal conveniences 24:28 – 25:32 Media fasting, boundaries, and protecting your inner life 25:32 – 26:46 Why the basics are the most powerful tools you have 26:46 – 27:56 Final message: pick one habit, build sovereignty, and create your SuperLife     Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.       Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway The basics aren't boring — they're the most powerful tools you have. Discipline creates freedom. Simple food fuels performance. Movement, sleep, stillness, hydration, and real connection build resilience. Pick one habit, commit to it, and build the life you actually want.  

As we close out the year, this special Holiday episode of the SuperLife Podcast weaves together the most powerful moments, conversations, and awakenings from an extraordinary season of inquiry. From environmental toxins and metabolic health to resilience, trauma, consciousness, and human potential, this episode is a reminder that living a SuperLife isn't about perfection — it's about awareness, sovereignty, and choosing differently. This year challenged assumptions, exposed broken systems, and offered real tools for healing — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode is both a reflection and a recalibration: a moment to pause, integrate, and step forward with clarity into what's next.     What You'll Learn 00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife + why this Holiday Special matter 02:10 - Year-end reflection: the conversations that cracked us open 07:26 - Dr. Aly Cohen on how her golden retriever's autoimmune illness revealed the unregulated chemical soup in our daily products. 10:57 - Dr. Laurie Santos on the arrival fallacy of happiness and why our brains are wired to get used to the good life. 16:03 - Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson on how a study on Navy dolphins led to the accidental discovery of C15, a fatty acid that may slow aging. 20:55 - Jennifer Cohen on how a simple "spit and catch" game taught her that boredom forces kids to build resiliency. 24:05 - Ian Clark on the moment he refused a terminal prognosis and committed to finding a different way to heal. 29:59 - Jim Poole on inventing NuCalm, a technology using physics and math to bypass trauma responses and restore the brain. 35:32 - Dr. Richard J. Brown on how his muscle mass provided the metabolic reserve needed to heal from severe burns after a grill explosion. 39:45 - Chef Bailey Ruskus on how the failure of Western medicine regarding her chronic illness led her to find her cure and calling in the kitchen. 48:48 - Sheila Morovati on how asking one question about default settings on food apps saved over a billion pieces of plastic cutlery. 53:28 - Cameron Waters on the theory that Jesus wasn't angry about money in the temple, but about the massive animal slaughter taking place. 01:01:04 - Redfoo on a masterclass in manifestation and how he decided his work was play. 01:08:24 - Ilan Sobel on bio-farming and mirroring nature to grow specific cells without soil. 01:14:08 - Dr. Jessica Stavale on fascia, the bioelectric web that holds us together and might be the missing link to understanding chronic pain. 01:18:05 - Gabrielle Reece on the ultimatum she gave her husband Laird Hamilton that saved their marriage and deepened their love. 01:22:29 - Johnny Fine on the vulnerability of the power grid and practical solar solutions for an EMP event. 01:28:26 - Josh Macin on discovering a physical parasite that changed his understanding of his own depression and intrusive thoughts. 01:34:40 - Gustavo Herman Moro on finding a literal treasure beneath the sea during a lightning storm just as time was running out. 01:39:26 - Dani Fontaine on the endocannabinoid system as the body's master thermostat and regulating signal system. 01:44:02 - Catharine Arnston on how algae acts as a firefighter for our mitochondria to put out the flames of inflammation. 01:49:26 - Dr. Mindy Pelz on the grandmother hypothesis and how menopause rewires the female brain for leadership. 01:55:00 - Dr. Max Butterfield on the surprising mismatch between what men think women find attractive versus what they actually do. 01:59:00 - Kyle Nicolaides on an Ayahuasca ceremony where he realized depression was an initiation rather than a defect. 02:03:52 - Dr. Aimee Apigian on why you cannot think your way out of trauma and why the body must physically move through the experience. 02:09:00 - Aaron Bigelow on the science of the human voice as a holographic blueprint for our health. 02:13:30 - Charlie Goldsmith on the moment he first felt magnetic energy in his hands at 18 years old and his first accidental healing. 02:21:10 - Maya Raichoora on using visualization to heal her body and walk again after a rude comment from a nurse ignited her fight. 02:25:20 - Dr. Lori Woodley on the "cross backwards" technique to break autopilot and stop reactive behavior. 02:29:32 - Chloe Temtchine on flipping the script from victimhood to empowerment to reclaim her health from a terminal diagnosis. 02:35:10 - Jürgen Horn on a somatic release technique for the jaw that shifted his body enough for his wisdom teeth to grow in. 02:39:23 - Jeff Turner on getting crushed in a rap battle in high school and finding the humor that launched his career. 02:44:53 - Dr. Michelle Jorgensen on how her own mercury poisoning led her to uncover the toxic truth about modern dentistry. 02:50:05 - Robyn O'Brien on the character assassination she endured when she blew the whistle on the food industry and how it forged her resilience. 02:54:16 - Darin synthesizes the year's insights into a final message of empowerment, reminding listeners that they are not victims but possess the agency and tools to actively shape their own biology and destiny.     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.   Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "What shocked me most this year wasn't how broken our systems are—it was how powerful the human body is when you remove the interference. When you give it clean inputs, space to recover, and permission to heal, it does what it was always designed to do."

In this solo episode of The SuperLife Podcast, Darin Olien dives deep into the true biology of energy—not motivation, not stimulants, not willpower, but the mitochondria themselves. Inspired by a groundbreaking conversation between Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Martin Picard, Darin reframes energy as an emergent property of how we live, not just what we eat or how much we sleep. This episode explores how mitochondria act as signal translators, listening to your food, stress, sleep, movement, emotions, purpose, and environment—and turning those signals into either vitality or depletion. Darin connects cutting-edge mitochondrial science with real-world practices around recovery, meaningful stress, consistency, connection, and alignment, showing how true longevity and resilience are built at the cellular level.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00  – Welcome to SuperLife & the mission of sovereignty and vitality 00:32 – Thera Sage sponsor: family-built healing tech & red light 02:10 – Why this episode is different: diving into cellular energy 02:42 – Inspiration from Huberman & Picard's mitochondria conversation 03:11 – Rethinking mitochondria: not just ATP, but information processors 04:03 – Energy as potential for change, not calories or fuel 04:39 – How thoughts, emotions, food, and stress shape energy 05:05 – Energy is dynamic, adaptive, and responsive to how you live 06:02 – Mitochondria as signal integrators: sleep, hormones, purpose, connection 06:50 – Mitochondria as antennas, not factories 07:16 – Translating life experience into biological energy 08:09 – Why we don't feel "energy," we feel energy flow 08:53 – Flow states, purpose, and why passion creates vitality 09:32 – Different organs, different mitochondrial roles 10:26 – Why energy optimization is not one-size-fits-all 10:49 – Energy resistance: the hidden cause of fatigue and burnout 11:47 – Chronic stress, poor sleep, and ultra-processed food as energy blockers 12:12 – Why recovery is non-negotiable for longevity 12:20 – Caldera Lab sponsor: clean, performance-driven skincare 14:20 – The danger of constant output without recovery 14:45 – Sleep as a mitochondrial reset and repair system 15:40 – Exercise, adaptation, and why recovery completes the signal 16:22 – Intentional stress vs. chronic stress 17:29 – Food as information, not just fuel 18:05 – Time-restricted eating, fresh food, and metabolic signaling 18:27 – Meaning, purpose, and emotional states as cellular inputs 19:23 – Mitochondria, aging, and the potential reversibility of decline 20:06 – SuperLife framework: alignment over optimization 20:37 – Consistency beats intensity at the cellular level 21:19 – Stable rhythms: sleep, nourishment, hydration, movement 21:45 – Stillness, meditation, and parasympathetic repair 22:35 – Growth requires both resistance and recovery 24:44 – Connection, community, and loneliness as biological signals 25:27 – Eliminating fatal conveniences to restore vitality 26:02 – Your mitochondria are listening—change the signals 26:21 – Honoring Huberman & Picard's contribution to human health 27:12 – Energy flow as the foundation of a SuperLife 28:11 – Closing reflections and invitation to apply this work     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Your mitochondria are not broken. They are responding perfectly to the signals you give them. Change the signals, and your energy, resilience, and life will follow."     Bibliography & Sources Here is the bibliography based on the sources referenced in the document, formatted with direct links to the scientific papers, books, and the podcast episode. Primary Source Material Huberman, A. (Host). (2025, December 15). Improve Energy & Longevity by Optimizing Mitochondria with Dr. Martin Picard [Audio/Video podcast]. Huberman Lab. Link to Episode Picard Lab. Mitochondrial Psychobiology Group. Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Link to Lab Website Key Scientific Literature & Books Hood, D. A., Memme, J. M., Oliveira, A. N., & Triolo, M. (2019). Exercise and Mitochondrial Biogenesis. Physiological Reviews, 99(1), 669–715. Read Study Lane, N. (2015). The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life. W.W. Norton & Company. Book Link López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194–1217. Read Study Mattson, M. P., Moehl, K., Ghena, N., Schmaedick, M., & Cheng, A. (2018). Intermittent Metabolic Switching, Neuroplasticity and Brain Health. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 19, 63–80. Read Study Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological Stress and Mitochondria: A Systematic Review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(2), 126–140. Read Study Picard, M., & Shirihai, O. S. (2022). Mitochondrial Psychobiology: Foundations and Applications. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 43, 102–110. Read Study Speakman, J. R., & Selman, C. (2011). The Free-Radical Damage Theory: Accumulating Evidence Against a Simple Link. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 26(1), 33–39. Read Study Wallace, D. C. (2015). Mitochondria and Cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 12, 685–698. (Note: Often referenced alongside his Annual Review of Genetics work on aging). Read Study

In this powerful and paradigm-shifting conversation, Darin Olien sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to dismantle everything we've been told about menopause, hormones, aging, and women's power. This is not a conversation about "fixing" women — it's about understanding a profound neurological, biological, and evolutionary transition that has been misunderstood, pathologized, and silenced for decades. Together, they explore why menopause is not the end of vitality, but the beginning of leadership, clarity, and sovereignty — and why reclaiming this transition could fundamentally reshape families, culture, and the future of women's health.     What You'll Learn (with Full Timecodes) 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife: Why this episode matters for everyone, not just women 00:01:05 – The hidden cost of modern living: Plastics, endocrine disruption, and invisible hormonal stress 00:02:47 – Introducing Dr. Mindy Pelz: Why this conversation goes deeper than anything online 00:03:17 – Why women were excluded from medical research for decades 00:05:26 – The shocking pattern Dr. Pelz saw in women in their 40s: When life looks perfect but feels unbearable 00:06:41 – The suicide and divorce statistics no one talks about 00:07:27 – Why menopause exists at all: The evolutionary mystery 00:08:55 – The Grandmother Hypothesis: Why post-menopausal women kept humanity alive 00:10:08 – The brain shift that makes women stop people-pleasing 00:11:31 – Aging, fear, and the cultural erasure of women's wisdom 00:13:10 – The female brain before vs. after menopause 00:15:13 – Darin's reflection on his mother and invisible female labor 00:16:06 – Why community, safety, and oxytocin matter more than willpower 00:18:00 – Carol Gilligan's research: When girls stop knowing what they want 00:19:32 – Menopause as an awakening — not a breakdown 00:21:24 – Why men must be part of this conversation 00:22:26 – Leadership, aging, and reclaiming relevance 00:24:18 – Family dynamics when identity shifts 00:25:33 – The problem with outsourcing menopause to hormone therapy alone 00:27:00 – How to communicate needs without blame or collapse 00:30:07 – Metabolic health, insulin resistance, and early menopause 00:31:16 – The one blood marker every woman over 40 must track (HbA1c) 00:34:45 – The Hormonal Hierarchy explained: Cortisol, insulin, sex hormones, oxytocin 00:37:44 – Menopause as a cultural rite of passage we never created 00:39:31 – Dementia, Alzheimer's, and the glucose-starved brain 00:40:23 – Why fasting is neuroprotective for women 00:42:35 – How fasting helps menopausal belly weight 00:44:36 – Why shame keeps women disconnected from their power 00:45:34 – Why puberty and menopause are happening earlier 00:46:21 – Big Pharma, fear narratives, and the HRT conversation 00:48:35 – Empowerment vs. outsourcing health 00:50:11 – Why society fears powerful, post-menopausal women 00:52:11 – Dr. Pelz's personal breaking point and nervous system reset 00:55:33 – Redefining work, marriage, and self-permission 00:58:37 – Resentment as a diagnostic tool 01:01:15 – Neuroplasticity, obstacles, and the hero's journey 01:03:16 – Why going through discomfort rewires the brain 01:04:23 – Integration: Menopause as rebirth, leadership, and collective healing 01:12:25 – Closing reflections and final takeaways     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More From Dr. Mindy Pelz: Website: drmindypelz.com Instagram: @dr.mindypelz Follow her YouTube Channel Podcast: The Resetter Podcast Order her new book: Age Like a Girl     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Website: https://superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway: Menopause isn't a failure of the female body — it's the moment a woman's brain rewires for truth, leadership, and independence. When we stop trying to fix women and start understanding this transition, we don't just heal individuals — we change families, cultures, and the future.  

In this deeply personal solo episode, Darin shares how to truly thrive through the holidays — not by white-knuckling your way through obligations, but by protecting your energy, honoring your body, and healing what's ready to be released. From food and supplements to trauma, forgiveness, boundaries, and future-self visualization, this episode is a roadmap for turning the holiday season into a period of restoration, clarity, and intentional creation.     What You'll Learn (Timecodes) [00:00] Welcome to SuperLife — sovereignty, possibility, and building a SuperLife together [00:32] Sponsor: EnergyBits — why spirulina is of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet [01:51] Thriving through the holidays — why this conversation goes deeper than food, fitness, and supplements [02:14] An honest check-in — are you enjoying the holidays or just trying to survive them? [03:10] Holiday triggers — why the season activates stress, old patterns, and family dynamics [03:41] The real goal — moving from white-knuckling to truly thriving [04:00] The power of questions — how inquiry opens intuition, clarity, and deeper listening [04:30] Defining the holidays — choosing love, connection, and generosity over pressure and obligation [05:28] Family roles and energetic boxes — outgrowing old identities while being around family [05:56] Energy economics — why obligation silently depletes your vitality [06:10] The thriving question — what would it take for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health to flourish? [06:28] A healing opportunity — addressing old wounds instead of pushing them down [06:56] Emotional release — why forgiveness heals you, not the other person [07:11] Permission to dream — using the holidays as a reset rather than a pause [07:25] Releasing judgment — letting go of pain without denying what you've lived through [07:40] Resilience and self-love — how self-love strengthens the nervous system [07:59] Nervous system capacity — why healing expands your ability to receive life [08:19] Presence over performance — why the holidays aren't about perfection [08:31] Practical strategies — eating well and maintaining discipline without waiting for January 1st [09:15] Environment design — why willpower alone doesn't work [09:30] Visualization as identity training — choosing who you want to be before the event [10:01] Darin's personal approach — sharing transparency rather than a prescription [10:09] Protecting energy — choosing not to go home for the holidays without guilt [10:57] Conscious boundaries — why clarity builds the future you want [11:49] Creating new traditions — why this is the most excited Darin has felt about the holidays [12:15] A year of rebuilding — closing a long cycle of challenge and stepping into what's next [13:03] Sponsor: Our Place Cookware — why non-toxic cookware matters for long-term health [15:39] Releasing early wounds — how unresolved birth trauma shows up as physical pain [16:38] Compassion and history — understanding family addiction and patterns without excusing them [17:36] Shedding the old — how excavation creates space for new love and opportunity [18:11] Building momentum — creating safety and love for the year ahead [18:51] Nourishment rhythms — simple, clean food as a reflection of inner clarity [19:31] Strength from pain — why strength equals resilience on every level [20:04] Darin's supplement stack — mitochondria, minerals, adaptogens, and hormone support [22:02] Nervous system regulation — NuCalm, meditation, and future-self visualization [23:09] Deep regulation tools — red light therapy, sauna, and creating stillness [25:02] Connection over content — replacing screen time with meaningful evening rituals [26:23] Future vision — integrating supplements, technology, and purpose-driven work [27:41] Creation as fuel — how intentional creation restores energy [27:57] Final holiday guidance — protect your energy, honor your body, and heal your heart [28:10] You are not alone — permission to build a life that feels good [28:45] Protecting attention — minimizing algorithmic noise to maintain intention [29:12] Leading from the heart — how one year of intention can change everything [29:30] Closing message — thriving, courage, and living your SuperLife [30:08] Join the SuperLife Patreon — where the deeper work continues [31:12] End of episode     Thank You to Our Sponsors: EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway The holidays don't have to drain you. They can restore you — if you choose intentionally, protect your energy, and lead from the heart.     Past Podcasts Addressing Trauma Dr. Jessica Stavale: Beyond the Muscle—How Fascia Can Free You from Chronic Pain Date: October 3, 2025 Focus: Explores how the fascia (connective tissue) acts as a "quantum interface" that stores unprocessed trauma and emotions, and how to release it through physical therapy and breath. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Stress Isn't the Enemy — It's the Message You've Been Ignoring Date: November 13, 2025 Focus: A solo episode where Darin discusses "hidden trauma" and how old wounds unconsciously drive our stress responses, offering tools like grounding and nature immersion to reset the nervous system. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Dr. Aimie Apigian: How Trauma Lives in the Body—and How to Finally Let It Go Date: August 1, 2025 Focus: Features Dr. Aimie Apigian, a biology of trauma expert, discussing the three layers of trauma repair (mind, body, biology) and why you cannot just "think" your way out of trauma responses. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Jeff Turner: How Music and Creativity Heal Trauma Date: June 27, 2025 Focus: An interview with freestyle artist Jeff Turner about his journey through the foster care system and how he used creativity and "flow state" to process deep emotional wounds and finding community. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Mastering Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD in a Chaotic World Date: January 23, 2025 Focus: Darin shares his personal experience with the California wildfires to discuss PTSD, resilience, and science-backed strategies for managing acute stress and anxiety. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Dr. Olivia Audrey: Why 7 Days Can Change Your Health Forever Date: January 17, 2025 Focus: Discusses the "circaseptan rhythm" (7-day biological cycle) and specifically touches on birth trauma as a foundational body memory that impacts healing cycles. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this conversation, Darin sits down with his longtime friend, athlete, and powerhouse human Gabby Reece to talk about what it really takes to grow up without shutting down. They go into childhood chaos, the gift and cost of competitiveness, and what it means to stay "dangerous" in the best way as you age — in your body, your relationships, and your purpose. Gabby opens up about losing her father young, being uprooted from the Caribbean, using sport as a lifeline, and eventually navigating fame, motherhood, and a marriage with Laird Hamilton under intense pressure. She and Darin get radically honest about boundaries, addiction, partnership, sleep, hormones, and why women's wisdom in midlife is massively undervalued. This episode is part love letter to long-haul relationships and part tactical playbook for anyone who wants to keep evolving instead of checking out.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00:03 – Darin's SuperLife mission & why this show exists 00:00:32 – Why Darin is obsessed with cellular health right now 00:04:16 – Twenty years of friendship and the wild arc of life with Gabby 00:06:45 – Island roots, being "rudderless," and getting pulled out of paradise 00:08:30 – Losing her dad, a dolphin-trainer mom, and the power of "bonus parents" 00:10:35 – Sports as salvation and why she chose volleyball over basketball 00:12:42 – Modeling to pay for school & navigating a career before NIL existed 00:14:44 – Built-in boundaries, "don't pet the tiger," and self-protection 00:16:44 – Competitiveness, survival, and learning to take radical responsibility 00:18:52 – Imposter syndrome when you're "crushing it" on paper 00:21:37 – Holding the line on food and environment while raising kids 00:23:43 – Laird's deep confidence vs. her self-doubt: two different operating systems 00:25:41 – MTV Sports, doing extreme things, and why intention matters more than spectacle 00:27:35 – Meeting Laird on The Extremist & the early blueprint of their relationship 00:29:52 – When the "fun guy" drinks too much: loving someone and drawing a hard boundary 00:32:33 – Co-creating safety: respect, sobriety, and growing closer instead of apart 00:34:46 – Radical honesty as foreplay for a long relationship 00:37:01 – Female hormones, aging, and the reality of shifting needs 00:40:00 – The body as an antenna: Manna, minerals & energetic upgrades (sponsor) 00:41:25 – Wanting your partner to stay "exciting" without making it their job 00:42:20 – Purpose, drive, and doing life as two sovereign people in one unit 00:44:37 – Kids, meetings, breastfeeding in the car & modeling a different kind of motherhood 00:49:40 – Rituals, school drop-offs, and redefining "fun" as training time 00:50:54 – "Is this aging?": brutal workout days and reframing decline 00:52:42 – Empty nest vs. open bandwidth: watching kids step into a noisy world 00:53:46 – A female-led wellness project with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Stacy Sims & others 00:55:29 – Why women move the needle in wellness (and why the industry ignores them) 00:58:56 – No magic pill: the truth about change, discipline, and lazy biology 00:59:53 – Becoming the person you're aiming at before you walk downstairs 01:01:30 – Training as non-negotiable and redefining "fun" in midlife 01:02:29 – Mindy Peltz, menopause, and how culture is failing women in transition 01:05:58 – Shifting from "glue of the family" to embodied wisdom 01:07:41 – A message to young women: skill, service, and soft power 01:08:45 – Harmony when everyone brings their best traits     Thank You to Our Sponsors Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Gabby Reece: Instagram: @gabbyreece Podcast: The Gabby Reece Show Website:gabbyreece.com Book: My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper Try Laird Superfood today! lairdsuperfood.com     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway Develop yourself so you can stand on your own two feet — build real skills, know yourself, and keep evolving — but never believe you have to abandon love or service to do it. Those are the very things that make a strong life worth living.  

In this deeply vulnerable solo episode, Darin dismantles one of the great myths of modern self-help: that transformation is something you're meant to "do alone." Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, physiology, and personal experience, he reveals the biological truth — the human nervous system is designed to heal, grow, and stabilize in relationship, not isolation. This conversation explores why loneliness creates physiological damage, why belonging is a survival requirement (not a luxury), and how to intentionally rebuild the village your cells have been waiting for. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the "inner work" but still feel disconnected, this episode is the medicine.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00:00 - Opening SuperLife intro narration. 00:00:32 - Sponsor: Therasage — family-driven healing technology, infrared and natural frequency support, details on discount. 00:02:11 - Darin begins the episode — "You were never meant to do this alone." 00:02:22 - The forgotten biology of community and why humans are not built for isolation. 00:03:01 - Your nervous system regulates in relationship — the vagus nerve, safety, co-regulation. 00:03:19 - Social engagement system — coherence, cortisol regulation, belonging as biology. 00:04:03 - Social pain = physical pain; the Baumeister research; the architecture of human connection. 00:05:01 - Tribes, proximity, shared life — Dunbar's number and the limits of real human networks. 00:05:30 - Loneliness as physiology — cortisol elevation, inflammation, disrupted sleep, gray-matter changes. 00:07:01 - Personal growth was never meant to be personal — autonomy, competence, relatedness, love. 00:07:55 - If nobody sees you, your nervous system can't relax — mirrors vs willpower. 00:08:31 - Social contagion of behavior — your network shapes your health. 00:09:01 - Who are you wired into? Environment as epigenetic instruction. 00:10:12 - Why online spaces generate stress instead of transformation. 00:10:35 - Darin's vision: community as a practice, not performance. 00:11:29 - Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste — plastic waste, sustainability, clean ingredients, discount code. 00:13:11 - What if growth wasn't a grind? What if healing was tribal again? 00:13:35 - Building intentional space — not fandom, not following, but practice. 00:14:11 - Supporting the nervous system through community; truth over scrolling. 00:15:04 - Why Patreon — structure, privacy, belonging, circle not feed. 00:15:23 - People looking for truth, depth, real connection — not performance. 00:15:51 - Start building your circle; align with those who align with you. 00:16:12 - You need to be seen, not fixed — community as transformation. 00:17:00 - One person can change your life — the power of being mirrored. 00:17:31 - Men's group, friendships, working out — the daily relational fabric. 00:18:01 - If you're lonely or disconnected, the desire for connection already shifts your biology. 00:18:41 - Darin reflects on a hard year, pain, stem cells, and the deeper healing found in being witnessed. 00:19:26 - Every cell responds when you say yes to deeper connection — the universe moves with it. 00:20:07 - Understanding human biology: we want love, connection, safety, belonging. 00:20:36 - Cutting through "what do you eat" questions — the real priority is connection. 00:21:00 - Closing: "Joy and happiness. Connection. We are built for it… I love you."     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "You don't need to be fixed. You don't need to be saved. You just need to be seen — and we cannot do that alone."     Bibliography Neuroscience & Biology of Connection Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. New York: W.W. Norton. Link to Book Information (Norton) Lieberman, M. D. (2013). Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. New York: Crown Publishers. Link to Book Information (Penguin Random House) Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). "The pain of social disconnection: examining the shared neural underpinnings of physical and social pain." Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(6), 421–434. Link to Study (PubMed) Thayer, J. F. & Lane, R. D. (2000). "A model of neurovisceral integration in emotion regulation and dysregulation." Journal of Affective Disorders, 61(3), 201–216. Link to Study (ScienceDirect) Psychology of Belonging & Motivation Baumeister, R. F. & Leary, M. R. (1995). "The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation." Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. Link to Study (PubMed) Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). "The 'what' and 'why' of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior." Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. Link to Study (SelfDeterminationTheory.org) Adler, A. (1930s). What Life Could Mean to You. Link to Book Information (Google Books) (Note: Various editions exist) Social Networks & Behavioral Contagion Christakis, N. A. & Fowler, J. H. (2007). "The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years." New England Journal of Medicine, 357, 370-379. Link to Study (NEJM) Fowler, J. H. & Christakis, N. A. (2008). "Dynamic spread of happiness in a large social network." BMJ, 337, a2338. Link to Study (BMJ) Centola, D. (2018). How Behavior Spreads: The Science of Complex Contagions. Princeton University Press. Link to Book Information (Princeton University Press) Anthropology & Human Ecology Dunbar, R. I. M. (1992). "Neocortex size as a constraint on group size in primates." Journal of Human Evolution, 22(6), 469-493. Link to Study (ScienceDirect) Henrich, J. (2016). The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Princeton University Press. Link to Book Information (Princeton University Press) Loneliness, Inflammation & Health Outcomes Holt-Lunstad, J. et al. (2010). "Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review." PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. Link to Study (PLoS Medicine) Cacioppo, J. T. & Cacioppo, S. (2014). "Social relationships and health: The toxic effects of perceived social isolation." Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(2), 58-72. Link to Study (PubMed) Cole, S. W. (2014). "Human social genomics." PLoS Genetics (Cited as PLoS Biology in text, corrected to Genetics based on search), 10(8), e1004601. Link to Study (PLoS Genetics) Group Rituals, Synchrony & Physiology Tarr, B., Launay, J., & Dunbar, R. (2014). "Music and social bonding: 'self-other' merging and neurohormonal effects." Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1096. Link to Study (Frontiers) Konvalinka, I. et al. (2011). "Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(20), 8514–8519. Link to Study (PNAS) Digital Communities & Social Learning Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge University Press. Link to Book Information (Cambridge University Press) Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity. Cambridge University Press. Link to Book Information (Cambridge University Press)